Numerous reports and monitoring of various markets in Metro Manila have pointed to the presence of large volumes of imported onions despite the non-issuance by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) of any plant quarantine clearance or permit to import such a crop this year.

In a report to Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, BPI director Joel Rudinas said the bureau is now exerting all efforts to stop the entry of imported onions and has called on the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to be more vigilant in monitoring such illicit trade and imposing sanctions on erring individuals or groups.

Rudinas reported to Yap that the BPI has also directed all its quarantine stations nationwide to detect possible smuggling and to actively participate or coordinate with farmers and other stakeholders in checking such illicit trade.

“These quarantine stations are closely looking at all information and constantly alerts the BOC so that these suspected ‘hot’ shipments can be inspected and seized,” he said.

As a long-term measure to check smuggling, Rudinas said the DA and BPI are pushing for the electronic issuance of permits and electronic cargo clearance.

He said the DA is also batting for the implementation of a Cabinet directive that will empower DA bio-security agencies to be the first to act on imported commodities – ahead of the BOC – to prevent pest and diseases from entering the country as well as prevent smuggling.

The Philippines is one of the very few countries that have a system where customs duties and taxes are paid before the clearance of quarantine agencies are issued to traders.